March 2015 The Medical Physics zone had the most students of all the zones and the most live chats. It was run as part of a study organised by the Institute of Physics, which investigated gender behaviour during the event. This meant that double the usual number of classes was signed up for this zone. The scientists who took part were all involved with imaging and treating patients using MRI or radiation therapy. This was a competitive zone where all scientists contributed a similar level of answers and each attended many of the increased number of chats. School data at a glance 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Active Users Questions Approved Lines of Live Chat Comments The Cooper School Cranford Community College Vandyke Upper School Boston Spa Archbishop Holgates Tendring Technology College Fulford Didcot Girls Charters School Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College Scientists activity Answers 18% Profile views Position Glafkos Havariyoun 2,022 Winner Paul Booker 1,447 2nd Pauline Hall Barrientos 1,733 3rd Clare Devery 1,898 4th Samantha Terry 1,595 5th Lines of live chat 12% 22% 28% 16% 20% Scientist 21% 25% 19% 19% +44 01225 326892 | [email protected] Key figures from the Medical Physics Zone, and the average of the March zones PAGE VIEWS MEDICAL PHYSICS ZONE 488 MARCH ‘15 ZONES AVERAGE 383 IAS AVERAGE MEDICAL PHYSICS ZONE MARCH ‘15 ZONES AVERAGE 87% 83% 46,981 36,564 % of students active in ASK, CHAT or VOTE 58% Total zone ASK page 2,535 2,481 Questions asked 371 496 713 CHAT page 6,772 4,878 Questions approved 220 238 297 VOTE page 3,034 2,422 Answers given 711 495 540 Comments 20 45 86 Votes 228 299 270 6,528 5,467 4437 Live chats 24 17 13 Average lines of live chat 272 331 335 Schools 11 10 8 The percentage of active students was noticeably lower than the average. There were three schools where internet filtering meant that students appeared to be logged in to the site , but were unable to participate. Registered students Lines of live chat 338 Popular topics The questions from students were often focused on the treatment side of medical physics, the work that the scientists did, and their career choices. General science questions were also popular, which stretched the knowledge of the participants. Cancer was a major theme in both the live chats and Ask, stemming from the background of the scientists. This allowed for a wide range of topics to be discussed including risks of radiation, side effects, personal feelings, and animal testing. The careers of the scientists were also of interest to the students, perhaps reflecting the relatively low profile of medical physics. Keywords from live chats in the zone, size of the word represents its popularity +44 01225 326892 | [email protected] Keywords of questions asked in the zone, length of bar represents frequency of use Example Questions (click for links) “Have you ever experienced had a “Can you patient who couldn't weaponise your undergo an MRI scan research?” due to a metal implant” “What is your research aiming to achieve/find out?” “What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were in school?” “How do you feel when you see people recovering from cancer? “How confident are you with your work?” “Where does the radiation for your machine come from?” “Will human aggression end human existence? If not, what will?” “How does the magnetic fields and “Why does radiation radio waves not act like a normal transform into a ray of light? And also scan on a screen in what do you do to relatively simple stay safe?” terms?” “What is your favourite element and why?” “How far do you think the risks outweigh the benefits when using radiation for medical treatment?” “If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?” “Where did cancer develop from?” “Why is hair loss a side effect of chemotherapy?” “If someone consumed “What is your a high amount of iron favourite part of and a room was medical physics?” magnetised, would it kill them?” +44 01225 326892 | [email protected] Examples of good engagement All the scientists were good at engaging and often questioned the students during live chats. For example, Samantha was clear on explaining both the practical reasons for animal testing and her personal feelings: “Do you test on them (animals)? If yes what do you test on them?” - Student “I use them in studies to check that the new imaging peptides we want to use in the clinic work and are able to get to tumours and make them light up. What do you make of animal studies?” – Samantha, scientist “I personally disagree with them because I think they are wrong and unethical” – Student “That is interesting. I don't like doing it but it is the only legal way between basic science and going into humans - at least for our type of work” – Samantha, scientist Another area of good engagment was how well all the scientists showed their personalities. Glafkos was particularly good at connecting students to his personal story: “If there is metal in you, would the buzzers go off in a airport?” - Student “I have shrapnel (little pieces of metals) in my hand. it does go off at some airport” – Glafkos, scientist “Thats so cool!!!” - Student “Not cool when you get pulled over and have to tell them each time that you have it in your hand ” – Glafko, scientist Scientist winner: Glafkos Havariyoun Glafkos’ plans for the prize money: A lot of children visiting our department for a scan are sometimes scared and don’t know how it will be. By creating model replicas of our scanners using legos and Raspberry Pi we can show them beforehand what will happen and that will hopefully make their experience better! Read Glafkos’ thank you message. Student winner: SianConnell14 For great engagement during the event, Sian will receive a gift voucher and a certificate. Feedback We’re still collecting feedback from teachers, students and engineers but here are a few of the comments made during the event… “You're all rad!” – Millie, student “I have really enjoyed speaking, we should do it again, u have inspired me” – Young Johnny, student +44 01225 326892 | [email protected]